Oscar(R) Nominated and Golden Globe(R) Award-Winning Actress Sigourney Weaver ('Ice Storm,' 'Gorillas in the Mist') Headlines Her First Made for Television Movie With Lifetime's 'Prayers for Bobby'

Movie Based on a True Story and Leroy Aarons' Critically Acclaimed Book Prayers for Bobby: A Mother's Coming to Terms with the Suicide of Her Gay Son

LOS ANGELES, May 19 -- Oscar(R) nominated and Golden Globe(R) winner Sigourney Weaver ("Aliens," "Ice Storm," "Gorillas in the Mist") has signed on to star and co-produce the Lifetime Original Movie, "Prayers for Bobby," marking her first performance in a made for television movie. Based on a true story and Leroy Aarons' book of the same name, Weaver stars as Mary Griffith, a profoundly religious wife and mother who begins to question her faith after the suicide of her beloved gay son. Ultimately, with the posthumous acceptance of her son's homosexuality, Mary becomes an advocate for the rights of gay and lesbian youth. "Prayers for Bobby" will premiere in February 2009 on Lifetime Television.

"Sigourney Weaver's passion and dedication to this project are incredibly inspiring," said Tanya Lopez, Senior Vice President, Original Movies, Lifetime Networks. Adding, "As both the star and co-producer of this movie, she wholly embodies the strength and perseverance of Mary Griffith."

Executive producer Stanley M. Brooks, said, "It's our sincere hope this heart-wrenching true story will foster more tolerance and understanding for all people." Added executive producers David Permut and Daniel Sladek, "The landmark book, Prayers for Bobby, has changed countless minds and saved hundreds of lives since it was first published in 1995. We hope that through this powerful movie, we can continue to positively affect lives and do justice to the memory of Bobby Griffith."

In "Prayers for Bobby," Mary Griffith (Weaver) is a devout Christian who raised her children with the conservative teachings of her Presbyterian church. But when her son Bobby confides to his older brother he may be gay, life changes for the entire family after Mary learns about his secret. While Bobby's father and siblings slowly come to terms with his homosexuality, Mary believes God can cure him of what she considers his 'sin' and persuades Bobby to pray harder and seek solace in church activities in hopes of changing him. Desperate for his mother's approval, Bobby does what is asked of him, but through it all, the church's apparent disapproval of homosexuality causes him to grow increasingly withdrawn and depressed.

Guilty over the pain he is causing Mary, Bobby moves away, yet hopes that some day his mother will accept him. His subsequent depression and self-loathing intensifies as he blames himself for not being the 'perfect' son and is driven to suicide. Faced with their tragedy, Mary begins to question her faith when she receives no answers from her pastor concerning her devastating loss. Through her long and emotional journey, Mary slowly reaches out to the gay community and discovers unexpected support from a very unlikely source.

Sigourney Weaver has created a host of memorable characters, both dramatic and comedic, for film, television and theater. She made her motion picture debut in Ridley Scott's blockbuster "Alien." Following "Alien," Weaver went on to star in three back-to-back hit movies: "Ghostbusters II," "Gorillas in the Mist: The Story of Dian Fossey" and "Working Girl," with the latter two movies earning her additional Oscar(R) nods and Golden Globe(R) wins. She reprised the role of Warrant Officer Ripley in James Cameron's "Aliens," for which she earned a Best Actress Academy Award(R) nomination. She again brought Ripley back to life in David Fincher's "Alien 3," which she co-produced, and "Alien: Resurrection" for director Jean-Pierre Jeunet.

Her impressive body of work includes the films "Copycat," "Jeffrey," "Death and the Maiden," "Half Moon Street, "Conquest to Paradise," "One Woman or Two" and "Eyewitness." She also starred in "The Ice Storm" which earned her a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe(R) nomination and a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. She received another Golden Globe(R) nod for her work in "A Map of the World." Weaver's knack for comedy was once again seen in "Galaxy Quest," "Heartbreakers," and "Holes." Weaver's most recent film credits include "The Village," "Imaginary Heroes," "The TV Set," "Snow Cake," "The Girl in the Park," "Be Kind, Rewind" and "Vantage Point." Most recently, Weaver was seen in the comedy, "Baby Mama" with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler and will soon be seen in James Cameron's "Avatar," due out in 2009. On television, Weaver appeared in the Showtime live-action film, "Snow White: A Tale of Horror," based on the original Grimm's fairy tale which earned her an Emmy(R) and Screen Actors Guild Award nomination. Weaver also narrated the American version of the Emmy(R) and Peabody Award-winning BBC documentary series, "Planet Earth." Weaver's theater credits include "The Nature and Purpose of the Universe," "Titanic" and "Das Lustania Songspiel." She co-wrote "Das Lustania Songspiel" with Christopher Durang which garnered them both Drama Desk Award nominations. Weaver received a Tony(R) Award nomination for her role in "Hurlyburly" and was featured in "The Merchant of Venice." She later was seen in "Sex and Longing" which re-teamed her with Christopher Durang. She also appeared in "The Mercy Seat" with Liev Schreiber and was the lead in "The Guys at The Flea."

"Prayers for Bobby" is produced by Once Upon A Time Films in association with Permut Presentations and Sladek Taaffe Productions for Lifetime Television. Emmy(R) Award winner Stanley M. Brooks (LMN's "Capture of the Green River Killer," "Broken Trail"), David Permut ("Face/Off"), Daniel Sladek ("Tale of the Mummy") and Chris Taaffe ("Thank Heaven") serve as executive producers. Weaver, Silvio Muraglia ("High Speed"), David Steinberg, Leroy Aarons, Mary Griffith and Steve Longi ("Charlie Bartlett") serve as co-producers. Damian Ganczewski ("Broken Trail") is producer. Russell Mulcahy ("Queer as Folk," "Swimming Up Stream") will direct from a script written by Katie Ford ("Miss Congeniality").

Lifetime is the leader in women's television and one of the top-rated basic cable television networks. A diverse, multi-media company, Lifetime is committed to offering the highest quality entertainment and information programming, and advocating a wide range of issues affecting women and their families. Lifetime Television, Lifetime Movie Network, Lifetime Real Women and Lifetime Digital (including myLifetime.com) are part of Lifetime Entertainment Services, a 50/50 joint venture of Hearst Corporation and The Walt Disney Company.